Advance Queensland drives 11,000 new jobs

Innovation Minister Kate Jones has today revealed new figures that show the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland initiative has supported more than 2630 innovators around Queensland whose projects will drive almost 11,000 new jobs.

The data shows the continual jobs boom from the government’s investment in Queensland innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers, with the figure of 10,917 jobs reported in December 2017 as a result of Advance Queensland, a jump from the 4821 new jobs reported in June 2017.

Ms Jones said the jobs growth was proof of the success of the Advance Queensland program.

“Queensland is gaining a reputation as the innovation state of Australia, with the Startup Muster’s 2017 report showing the sunshine state has 20.8 per cent of the country’s startups - putting it ahead of Victoria,” she said.

“Today’s figures show Advance Queensland – the government’s flagship half-a-billion-dollar fund to create the jobs of the future – is working hard for the people of this state.

“But what’s even more promising is that these jobs are in industries that will sustain Queenslanders for generations.

“Advance Queensland is a strategy to transform the state’s economy and build on our reputation as a global innovation and investment destination.

“Innovation is about our greatest natural resource – our people – and how their ideas, and new ways of solving problems can create jobs and make our lives better.”

Underwood business GO1.com Pty Ltd, which provides workplaces with access to an employee training marketplace through a mobile application, received $178,000 in funding from the Advance Queensland’s Ignite Ideas program.

GO1.com co-founder Vu Tran said the funding received through Ignite Ideas had helped the business to grow their team significantly from 19 employees to more than 50.

“GO1.com was fortunate enough to receive funding for its training mobile application, a key tool in today’s workforce training requirements where cloud and mobile accessible training is essential,” Mr Tran said.

“We put the funding towards hiring local developers, project managers and support staff to undertake the development of the project which has subsequently led to uptake of the application by customers including the federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Queensland startups and small and medium-sized businesses can apply for up to
$250 000 funding to advance their innovative products and services under round four of the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas which is open for applications until 9 May.

Innovation Minister Kate Jones said Advance Queensland’s Ignite Ideas program targets businesses with fewer than 200 staff that have a suitable working prototype which is ready to be turned into commercial reality.

“Through Ignite Ideas, the Palaszczuk Government is providing innovative businesses, which have been independently assessed in a highly competitive process, with opportunities to take their ready-to-market idea to the next level,” she said.

More information on the program is available on the Advance Queensland website (https://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-startups/ignite-ideas-fund.aspx).

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